Concrete slabs are essential to many construction projects because they are versatile. You can use them as floorings for houses, barndominiums, or garages. A 24×36 concrete slab is viable if you want flooring for a small barndominium or workshop.
Knowing how to compute the cost of a concrete slab is crucial to see if you have enough funds to complete your project. Several factors are involved in coming up with these computations, and we will discuss them with you in detail. We aim to help you understand all the components of a concrete slab so that you can accurately compute costs whenever you need to make one.
Table of Contents
What Factors Determine the Cost of a 24×36 Concrete Slab?
As mentioned, several factors dictate the cost of a concrete slab. The first and most influential factor is size. The larger the concrete slab is, the more materials you will need. Large concrete slabs also take longer to make. A 24×36 concrete slab will have a total area of 864 square feet.
Your location also plays a crucial role when computing costs. For one, materials may cost more in some areas compared to others and result in an increase in your overall expenses. Spend time canvassing the cost of building materials from multiple suppliers to buy the cheapest ones available.
The location also influences labor costs because some areas have higher labor rates. It is important to note that labor rates can also increase depending on the qualifications of the contractor you are hiring because veteran contractors often charge more compared to less experienced ones.
How Much Does a 24×36 Concrete Slab Cost?
Let us now look at some of the characteristics of concrete slabs and how they affect costs.
Per Thickness
This might surprise you, but concrete slabs don’t have a uniform thickness. Concrete slabs that are expected to bear heavy loads need to be thicker so they don’t sustain damage and last longer. Examples of load-bearing concrete slabs include those used as floorings for barndominiums and pole barn homes. A thin concrete slab should suffice if you need flooring for your shed because tools don’t weigh too much.
| Thickness | Cost per square foot |
| 4 inches | $5.35 |
| 5 inches | $5.80 |
| 6 inches | $6.20 |
| 8 inches | $7 |
Inclusions
Inclusions are the tools and materials required in making a concrete slab. A one-bag cement mixer is an example of an inclusion in making a 24×36 concrete slab. This is vital equipment because it ensures the proper mixing of concrete. When properly mixed, concrete can last longer. Using a cement mixer can also help you work faster.
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You can look for rental cement mixers in your area that you can rent daily. However, buying one might be more practical if you are working on a large project.
| Inclusion | Cost |
| Cement Mixer | Prices start at $439 (2) |
| Concrete Mixer Rental | $97 per day (3) |
| Concrete Rebar | $1.40 – $1.85 per 2 feet (4) |
| Wire Mesh | $0.28 per square foot (5) |
With Additional Features
Some concrete slabs have additional features. These are features that help make a concrete slab more suitable for its intended use. If your floor plan has a basement, you need concrete slab flooring for the said basement. Basements are notorious for letting in moisture that can result in mold build-up or water damage.
To avoid these, you need to add vapor barriers to your concrete slab. A vapor barrier prevents moisture from getting through the concrete slab. Adding a vapor barrier will increase barndominium costs, but it will help avoid costly damages.
| Features | Cost |
| Vapor barrier | $0.50-$0.70 per square foot (6) |
| Stamped concrete | $9 – $20 per square foot, inclusive of materials (7) |
| Stained concrete | $2 – $4 per square foot, staining only (8) |
24×36 Concrete Slab Cost Breakdown
We will now look at the breakdown of the cost of a 24×36 concrete slab.
Concrete Bag Cost Estimate
Concrete mix is the main building material used in making a concrete slab measuring 864 square feet. A bag of concrete mix costs around $4.50 – $27 each (9). The cost varies depending on the bag’s size and type of concrete mixture.
Labor Cost Estimate
Labor costs take up a chunk of the cost of making a concrete slab. Labor rates can be around $2 – $3 per square foot, depending on your location and the qualifications of the contractor you hire (10).
Truck Cost Estimate
If you want to save time, you can order wet concrete. Wet concrete gets delivered on a concrete mixer truck and costs around $125 – $133 per cubic yard (11). Some suppliers add fuel surcharges of between $40 and $50 per truckload if the delivery site is beyond the supplier’s service area (9).
How Do You Calculate the Cost of a 24×36 Concrete Slab?
Now that you are aware of the basics of a concrete slab’s cost, let’s compute how much a 24×36 concrete slab costs. We will present you with several price cost averages you can use as a basis to compute costs in several ways.
Before we start, let’s calculate how much concrete you need to make a concrete slab with an area of 864 square feet and a six-inch thickness. According to this calculator, you will need 16 cubic yards of wet concrete.
After adding a 10% wastage allowance, you need a total of 17.6 cubic yards of concrete. The National Ready Mixed Concrete Association or NRMCA (10) estimates that a cubic yard of concrete costs around $137, so 17.6 cubic yards of concrete costs $2,711.2.
Another way is by computing the concrete slab cost per square foot. We know that there are 864 square feet in a 24×36 concrete slab. We also know that a square foot of 6-inch thick concrete costs $6.20 (1). By multiplying these figures, we can surmise that a 24×36 concrete slab costs around $5,891, including the 10% wastage allowance.
Should You DIY or Hire a Contractor for Your 24×36 Concrete Slab Project?
Although making a concrete slab yourself is cheaper, we still recommend hiring a contractor to ensure you have a durable concrete slab. Consider it an investment because hiring a professional can help ensure that you have a concrete slab that won’t break easily.
Conclusion
If you plan on having concrete slab flooring for your barndominium, shouse, or workshop, you need to know how to compute its cost. It will help determine if you have enough funds to complete a 24×36 concrete slab. If you are hiring a contractor, it can help you notice if you are getting overcharged. Just keep in mind the formula we outlined above, and you can easily compute the cost of concrete slabs no matter what size they are. Follow our Facebook page to get updated about the latest news on barndominium financing, design ideas, and other useful topics.Â
- How Much Does A Concrete Slab Cost In 2023? Homeadvisor.
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- How to Compare the In-Place Cost of Wire Mesh Versus Synthetic Fibers ABC Polymer Industries
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- How Much Does Concrete Cost? Angi
- How Much Does a New Concrete Slab Cost? Angi
- How Much Does It Cost to Have Concrete Delivered in Your Area? Fixr
- Ready Mixed Concrete Industry Data Survey. NRMCA
